Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary


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Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary (25°13’48”N, 86°16’48”E) is located in the South-west region of Munger district of Bihar, at a distance of 7 km from the Ganga River. The Sanctuary is located in the Kharagpur hills surrounded by Chota Nagpur Plateau in the south, Ganga River in the north and Santhal Paragana in the east. Legend dictates that Bhima, one of the pandavas from Mahabharata, once constructed a Bandh (dam) here and, hence, the place is called Bhimbandh. The area is famous for its hot springs, in the valleys and at the foothills including springs at Bhimbandh, Sita Kund and Rishi Kund. Of these, the Bhimbandh springs are the hottest, with a temperature of 52°C to 65°C, and provide ample opportunities for the exploration of geothermal energy potential.

The Sanctuary has a forest cover of 681.99 km², with hilly terrains, and is surrounded by human habitation. The Sanctuary supports diverse mammalian fauna as Tiger (Panthera tigris), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) and Chital (Axis axis) have been recorded from the area. Acclaimed for its rich bird diversity, over 100 species of birds have been reported from here including a number of winter migratory birds that take refuge in the water bodies of the Sanctuary.
 

 Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary  Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary  Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary

a) Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary b) Golden jackal and c)Indian elephants in Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary
©www.telegraphindia.in (a), ©www.transindiatravel.com (b), ©www.sanctuaryindia.com (c)

References:

http://www.sanctuariesindia.com/bhimbandh-wildlife-sanctuary